Shrewsbury – Barbara Marie (Nieuwenhoff) Billings, 88, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 12, 2023 in the comfort of her home, with her loving family at her side, after a long bout with cancer. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, Thomas P. Billings, in 2021.
She leaves her devoted children: Nancy A. (Billings) Breault and her husband Francis M. Breault, of Shrewsbury, Patricia M. (Billings) Hoey and her husband Timothy C. Hoey, of Milford, Richard A. Billings and his wife Sara, of Westborough, and Lisa M. Billings, of Shrewsbury; seven grandchildren; her siblings, Gale Clements and Alan Nieuwenhoff; and several nieces and nephews.
Barbara was born in Worcester, to the late John and C. Maria (Van der Werf) Nieuwenhoff, and was raised in Millbury. She was a graduate of Millbury High School, and was active in the Millbury Girls Drum and Bugle Corps. Barbara married her best friend and lifelong partner, Thomas, on October 30, 1954. They settled in Shrewsbury to start and raise their family together.
Barbara worked for State Mutual/All America Insurance Companies from 1950 to 1957, then held a decade-long career at Big D Corporate Office from 1974 to 1984. She retired in 1996 from State Mutual/All America as Supervisor of Defined Contribution Plans.
In her free time, Barbara was an avid cake decorator, gardener, and loved to spend time walking the beach at the family cottage in Eastham. She was also the CCD teacher at St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Neady Cats, P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583 (www.neadycats.org).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Barbara’s family on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 PM followed by a prayer service at 3:00 PM at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury-masks will be required upon entering and during services.
